Football Training, Animation Techniques, and Statistical Analysis

ABSTRACT

A training system may provide audible and visual instruction to American football players for executing one or more coordinated movements along the line of scrimmage. The movements comprise positioning an offensive line in a first legal configuration prior to a snap, wherein a first player is lined up to snap the ball, then shifting to position the offensive line in a second legal configuration, wherein a different player is lined up to snap the ball. In some implementations, a further shift to a third legal configuration is executed before the ball is snapped, where the third configuration might or might not have the first player lined up to snap the ball. In others, only part of the offensive line shifts. The features of this system and method may be embodied in execution of the movements, training materials, training devices, computer simulations, computer gaming simulations, and statistical analysis.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a nonprovisional of and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/269,585, filed Dec. 18, 2015, with title“Football Games, Animation Techniques, and Statistical Analysis.”

FIELD

This disclosure relates to training for and execution of the game ofAmerican football, simulations thereof, games relating thereto, andmanagement of data characterizing such play.

BACKGROUND

Football is a game of leverage, angles and numbers. For nearly acentury, football coaches have X and O'd the offensive game inside andout, coming up with numerous formations, schemes, motions, and resets toadd to countless plays diagramed to attack, confuse, redirect,misdirect, isolate, and rotate defenses and individual positions intosubmission. Creating checkdowns confuses defensive pressure calls andmanipulates the defense to play conservatively.

Recently we have seen teams using a no-huddle strategy with quick tempo,and then spreading the field horizontally. The quick tempo keeps thedefense from calling sophisticated plays or substituting players basedon personnel, down, and distance situations, and it may even manipulatethe defense into calling their plays based on the offense's formationand tendency. By spreading the field, the defense is often forced to tipits hand in blitz situations because of the distance Linebackers andSafeties have to creep in order to achieve proper timing for their blitzto be effective. Keeping this in mind, the no-huddle strategy allows forsimple isolation reads by the Quarterback on single defensive playersfor both run and pass plays. That is why run pass options (“RPO”) suchas zone-read run plays and isolation pass play offense appear to betrending.

Of course, what is the natural progression for defenses to resort towhen having to defend against this style of offense? Playing quickerplayers at the Outside Linebacker positions instead of bigger playerswho react more slowly and cannot keep up with the fast-paced tempooffenses.

Most offensive coordinators are having to make a choice: (1) Go withbigger, stronger players, and focus on running the ball and controllingthe clock by eating time up; (2) choose to play with smaller and fasterplayers, spread the field and out-score your opponent regardless of thegame clock; or (3) straddle the fence and try to play a combination ofboth.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes a training technique for Americanfootball comprising a method that will fit into any type of offensivestrategy. It creates confusion, out-leverages the defense, createssuperior blocking angles, creates a statistical nightmare for defensivecoaches, and allows for simple reads for the quarterback. The key hereis leverage. No longer is a coach cornered with a decision to recruit orsign bigger, stronger players versus smaller, quicker players for thesame positions. Leverage is the universal equalizer regardless of size,strength or speed. The present shift method will manipulate the defenseto check out of pressures, check into base coverages, and playpredictable adjustments. The disclosure describes a form of footballthat includes an offensive “scheme,” or method, not an abstract offense.It can be incorporated into play calling using simple language, and itcan be “plugged” into any offensive style.

This disclosure also describes graphical/computer simulations of such agame for training and entertainment, coaching, teaching, statisticalanalysis of this form of football, and related processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing positions of traditional offensiveand defensive lines in American football.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary identification ofmiddle offensive linemen for use in one embodiment of the disclosedmethod.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to one embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a second embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a third embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a sixth embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a seventh embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to an eighth embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a ninth embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a tenth embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a eleventh embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a twelfth embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a thirteenth embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a fourteenth embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a fifteenth embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating offensive line gaps for usein various embodiments of the disclosed method.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a sixteenth embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a seventeenth embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to an eighteenth embodiment of the disclosed method.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary shift and subsequentplay according to a nineteenth embodiment of the disclosed method.

DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of thepresent invention, reference will now be made to certain embodiments,some of which are illustrated in the drawings, and specific languagewill be used to describe the same. It will, nevertheless, be understoodthat no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended;any alterations and further modifications of the described orillustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principlesof the invention as illustrated therein, are contemplated as wouldnormally occur to one skilled in the art.

Football, like other sports, is constrained by a set of rules. The BuckShift method is unique and simple, beginning with the definition of oneof the most basic and fundamental rules at all levels of the game: therequirements placed on the offensive line at the snap. From the NFL RuleBook, which is also used at the college level by schools in the NCAA:

Section 5 Position of Players at the Snap

Article 1: Offensive Team. The offensive team must be in compliance withthe following at the snap:(a) It must have seven or more players on its line (3-19-1); and(b) Eligible receivers must be on both ends of the line, and all of theplayers on the line between them must be ineligible receivers.(c) No player may be out of bounds.

FIG. 1 shows an illustration of a typical offensive alignment (100) andan opposing defensive alignment (101). Each position is represented by aletter, for example, C for center, G for guard, T for tackle, Y fortight end, QB for quarterback, H for fullback, A for tailback, X and Zfor wide receivers, V for defensive lineman, B for linebacker, C forcorner, FS for free safety, and SS for strong safety.

The basic premise of the present implementation of the Buck Shift methodcomprises the five ineligible players on the line of scrimmage (“LOS”):a Tackle, Guard, Center, Guard, and Tackle (“T, G, C, G, T”), but mayalso include one or two Tight Ends (“Y”) and a Fullback (“H”) orReceiver (“X”) at various stages of its development as illustratedherein.

FIG. 2 illustrates the Buck Shift numbering assignment for the threemiddle offensive linemen, with the left guard (102), center (104), andright guard (106).

The five ineligible offensive linemen, by rule, all have jersey numbersranging from #50-79. This is how they are identified as ineligible tocatch a forward pass (unless a particular exception applies).

In contrast with Offensive Tackles, who are typically tall, wide andlong armed, Centers and Guards are usually of the same proportionatebuild: shorter than Tackles, stocky and more mobile. Guards are alsocoached up on how to snap the ball as Centers so they can replace theCenter if that player were ever injured. This “cross-training” helps ateam to effectively execute the Buck Shift.

FIG. 3 shows one potential implementation of the illustrated method thatmay be referred to as Center Over Right. In the initial lineup orpre-Buck shift position (108) shown on the left side of FIG. 3, theCenter is not aligned over the football. Once the Quarterback sees thedefensive alignment and is ready, he gives the command to shift, and theentire offensive line moves together to a post-shift position (110) inunison the direction of the call. In this case, the entire offensiveline will shift one position to the right and then the Center will beover the ball, thus, “Center Over.” As one can see, by running astandard Toss Sweep Right, the offense has now gained and can capitalizeon a competitive advantage by numbers and leverage on the right side.

The language of the call “Left Buck 232” will now be explained in thecontext of this exemplary implementation. In the huddle, the call isLeft Buck 232. The Y lines up on the left or right depending on thefirst command, which may be, for example right or left. Any particularimplementation of this system may have its own codes or commands, suchas right-left or any other arbitrary command or phrase. The firstnumber, 2, refers to the direction of the Buck Shift. (1 is left, 2 isright.) The second number refers to the lineman lining up over the ball.Remember (as shown in FIG. 2), the Left Guard is #1, the Center is #2,and the Right Guard is #3. In this case, 3 (the Right Guard) is liningup over the ball. The third number refers to the lineman who will besnapping the ball after the Buck Shift. In this case, the linemansnapping the ball is #2, the Center, so the call is Left Buck 232.

As one can clearly see, the offense has gained and can capitalize on anadvantage through leverage as they execute a simple Toss Sweep right.The blocking angles are sharper, which negates size, speed, and strengthas competitive factors. All other things being equal, the Buck Shiftgives the offense a significant blocking advantage.

Because the Buck Shift is a “pre-snap” shift, or movement, a review ofthe rules of “shifts” and “false starts” might be useful to illustratethat the Buck Shift complies with all of these rules.

Some rules relevant to the Buck Shift include:

Section 31 Shift Shift

A Shift is the action of two or more offensive players who (prior to asnap), after having assumed a set position, simultaneously change theposition of their feet by pivoting to or assuming a new set positionwith either one foot or both feet (7-4-8).

Article 8: Shifts.

The offensive team is permitted to shift and have two or more players inmotion multiple times before the snap. However, after the last shift,all players must come to a complete stop and be in a set positionsimultaneously for at least one second. If any eligible backfield playergoes in motion (one at a time) after the last shift and comes to acomplete stop, there is no requirement for a full second pause before asecond player can legally go in motion.However, if the first player has not come to a complete stop when thesecond player goes in motion, it is another shift and requires anothersimultaneous stop for at least one second by all players.It is also an illegal shift if a player under or behind center goes inmotion and fails to come to a complete stop for at least one full secondprior to the snap, or before a second player goes in motion.Note: The offensive team must present a legal formation both before andafter a shift.Penalty: For an illegal shift: Loss of five yards.A.R. 7.31 Team A shifts and comes to a stop for one second. OffensiveEnd A1 then goes out along his line and stops. Back A2then moves and the ball is snapped less than one second after End A1stops.

Ruling:

Legal play. Movement of End A1 and Back A2 are not simultaneous.

A.R. 7.32

After a shift or a huddle, the offensive players come to a stop andremain stationary. Before the lapse of one second, Back A1, who did notshift or huddle, starts and is in motion backward at snap.

Ruling:

Illegal shift. All eleven players must come to an absolute stop for onesecond.

Article 2: False Start.

It is a False Start if the ball has been placed ready for play, and,prior to the snap, an offensive player who has assumed a set positioncharges or moves in such a way as to simulate the start of a play, or ifan offensive player who is in motion makes a sudden movement toward theline of scrimmage. Any quick abrupt movement by a single offensiveplayer, or by several offensive players in unison, which simulates thestart of the snap, is a false start.

Exceptions:

(a) This does not apply to an offensive player under the center whoturns his head or shoulders, unless the movement is an obvious attemptto draw an opponent offside.Note: See 4-6-5-d, for actions by a defensive player who attempts tocause an offensive player to commit a false start.

Item 1:

Interior Lineman. It is a False Start if an interior lineman (tackle totackle) takes or simulates a three-point stance, and then changes hisposition or moves the hand that is on the ground.

Item 2:

Change of Stance. An interior lineman who is in a two-point stance ispermitted to reset in a three-point stance or change his position,provided that he resets prior to the snap.

Item 3:

Eligible Receiver. If an eligible receiver who is on the line changeshis stance, or moves to another position on the line or in thebackfield, he must reset prior to the snap. If an eligible receiver whois in the backfield changes his stance, or moves to another position inthe backfield that is closer to the line of scrimmage or to a positionon the line, he must reset prior to the snap. (For a backfield playerwho is moving parallel to or away from the line of scrimmage, seeArticle 7.)

Item 4:

Player Under Center. It is legal for a player who has taken a positionunder or behind the center to go in motion, whether he has placed hishands under center, on his knees, or on the body of the center. However,it is a False Start if the action is quick and abrupt. If the playerfails to come to a complete stop for at least one second prior to theball being snapped, it is an illegal shift. See 7-4-8.

Item 5:

Shotgun Formation. A player who is in position to receive the snap inshotgun formation is permitted to shift his feet prior to the snap, butany quick and abrupt movement is a False Start. This includes thrustinghis hands forward when there is not a simultaneous snap.

Item 6:

Attempt to Draw Offside. Any obvious attempt by the quarterback or otherplayer in position to receive the snap to draw an opponent offside is aFalse Start.

In the lineup shown in FIG. 4, which may be referred to as Center OverLeft, the Center is not aligned over the football in the initialposition (112). Once the Quarterback sees the defensive alignment and isready, he gives the command to Buck Shift, and the whole offensive linemoves together in unison the direction of the call to the secondposition (114). In this case, the entire offensive line will Buck Shiftone position to the left, and the Center will be over the ball, thus,this alignment might be referred to as a “Center Over.” As you can see,the offense has now gained a competitive advantage by numbers andleverage on the left side.

According to the present implementation, this is scheme “Left Buck 112,21P.” To explain this notation, the Y goes in the direction of the firstcommand, which is left. The first number, 1, refers to the direction ofthe left. The second number, 1, identifies the lineman lining up overthe ball. In this case it is #1 (the Left Guard). The third numberrefers to the lineman who will be snapping the ball after the BuckShift. In this case the player is #2, the Center, completing theinformation conveyed by “Left Buck 112.”

One strategic consideration for the Buck Shift method is that it and itsvariations be introduced in strategic sequence. Keeping that in mind,another potentially powerful element is for it to be executed with“tempo,” wasting no time from down to down, by lining up on the ball inunison as quickly as possible, then executing the called play rightaway. By using tempo, defensive substitutions are limited. Defensiveplay calls are limited because of the lack of time to adjust to theoffense's formations, and in general, the defense gets tired and isforced to play a conservative “base” scheme. Since the offense canexecute a Buck Shift, go to “set” for just one second, then snap theball, the defense is forced to react to the Buck Shift instead ofresponding strategically. Now, the offense will not perform a Buck Shifton every play, so the defense will have to be sharp enough to recognizethe shift quickly. As the defense gets tired and the Buck Shift is runin tempo, the defense will not be able to respond as a unit in reactingto the Buck Shift.

In FIG. 5 a formation is shown which may be referred to as Guard OverRight. Here one will notice that the Center lines up over the footballin the first position (116). Once the Quarterback sees the defensivealignment and is ready, he gives the command to shift, and the wholeoffensive line moves together in unison in the direction of the BuckShift according to the call to the second position (118). In this case,the entire offensive line will Buck Shift one position to the right, andthe guard will be over the ball, so this lineup might be referred to asa “Guard Over.” The offense has now gained a competitive advantage bynumbers and leverage on the right side.

According to the present implementation, this is play call “Right Buck221, 21P.” The Y lines up left or right according to the first commandof the Quarterback. The first number in the Quarterback's call, 2,refers to the direction of the Buck Shift. (1 is Left; 2 is Right.) Thesecond number refers again to the lineman lining up over the ball. Asabove, the Left Guard is #1, the Center is #2, and the Right Guard is#3. In this case, 2 is lining up over the ball (the Center). The thirdnumber refers to the lineman who will be snapping the ball after theBuck Shift. In this case it is #1, the Left Guard.

When a defense first sees the Buck Shift as Center Over, they willeventually notice that the “usual” Center is not lining up over theball. This will result in the defense paying closer attention to thealignment of the front five. So when the offense lines up in Guard Over,the defense will not suspect that there will be a shift.

In the lineup shown in FIG. 6, which may be referred to as Guard OverLeft, the Center lines up over the football in a first position (120).Once the Quarterback sees the defensive alignment and is ready, he givesthe command to Shift, and the whole offensive line moves together inunison in the direction of the call to a second position (122). In thiscase, the entire offensive line will Buck Shift one position to theleft, and the Guard will be over the ball, so this shift might be called“Guard Over.” As one can see, the offense has now gained a competitiveadvantage by numbers and leverage on the left side.

In the present implementation, this illustrated movement is called “LeftBuck 123, 21P”. The Y lines up left or right according to the firstcommand of the Quarterback. The first number, 1, gives the direction ofthe Buck Shift. The second number identifies the lineman lining up overthe ball; in this case, 2 (the Center) is lining up over the ball. Thethird number identifies the lineman who will be snapping the ball afterthe Buck Shift. In this case it is #3, the Right Guard.

The illustrations in FIGS. 1-6 have used “21P” sets, for a Personnelgroup having 2 Back, and 1 Tight End. The next couple of sets will use a“12P” set, which has 1 Back and 2 Tight Ends. Other possible personnelgroupings include:

TABLE 1 Personnel Groupings Group # Backs Tight Ends 00P 0 (5 Receivers)0 10P 1 0 11P 1 1 12P 1 2 21P 2 1 22P 2 2 23P 2 3 31P 3 1 32P 3 2

Notice in FIG. 7, in a formation which may be referred to as MonsterBuck Guard Over Right, that the Center lines up over the football in afirst position (124), and the offense lines up in a symmetricallybalanced formation. Once the Quarterback sees the defensive alignmentand is ready, he gives the command to Shift, and the whole offensiveline moves together in unison the direction of the call to a secondposition (126). In this case, the entire offensive line will Buck Shiftone position to the right, and the guard will be over the ball, so thismovement might be called “Guard Over.”

One might call this set Monster Buck (or another chosen phrase, command,or descriptor) as it is a double Tight End set, in this case, 22P. Asone can see in FIG. 7, when combined with the Buck Shift, the fronttransforms to an unbalanced right alignment. This figure illustratesMonster Buck 221, in which the call system remains the same. The firstnumber, 2, refers to the direction of the Buck Shift (right). The secondnumber, 2, refers to the lineman lining up over the ball (the Center).The third number, 1, refers to the lineman who will be snapping the ballafter the Buck Shift (the Left Guard). Therefore, this might also beconsidered a “Guard Over” concept.

FIG. 8 illustrates a sixth example, “Monster Buck 123, 22P,” or MonsterBuck, Guard Over Left. The “Monster” call means that one Y lines up oneach end of the offensive line. The first number, 1, refers to thedirection of the Buck Shift (left). The second number, 2, identifies thelineman lining up over the ball (the Center). The third number, 3,refers to the lineman who will be snapping the ball after the Buck Shift(the Right Guard).

Since MONSTER BUCK uses two Tight Ends, in this case a 22P composition,when combined with the Buck Shift, the front transforms from the firstposition (128) to an unbalanced line in the second position (130). Thatalso makes this a “Guard Over” concept.

Now we highlight one of the Buck Shift's greatest byproducts. If thedefense has now witnessed three variations with different playerssnapping the ball, and the entire offensive line moving one gap to theleft or to the right, they have realized something very important: Whenthe Offensive line approaches the LOS, no one grabs the ball. You see,once the ball has been grabbed, it cannot be released but through thesnapping process. With the Buck Shift method, the offense has beenconditioned (coached) not to grab the football until the “set” call hasbeen made. Waiting to grab the balls freezes the defense from making anypre-snap plays, shifts, stunts, blitz, or strength calls. They do notknow if the offense is going to Buck Shift or not. By not grabbing theball, they prevent the defense from any pre-snap calls, plays, oradjustments. This means that even on plays where the offense does notperform a Buck Shift the defense will not even know that until theoffense grabs the ball and calls “set.”

Of course, the defense can make their call, but they will only have onesecond to make it, adjust, and begin to execute it correctly.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an intentional delay after a Buck Shift, whichmay be referred to as “and” or &, to allow the defense to adjust. (The“&” sign stands for “let the defense adjust.”) That is, once the offenseperforms the Buck Shift method, the Quarterback will pause longer thanthe one second prior to the snap, possibly 3-10 seconds depending on theplay clock. In this case, the offense wants the defense to adjust, sincetheir likely adjustment sets them up for the offensive play that wascalled. We observe that tempo is used in several ways, e.g., no-huddle,hurry-up, and the two-minute drill. However, by slowing down the tempoand milking the 35-second clock, the offense slows down the pace to burntime. With the Buck Shift, the offense can take advantage of both timestrategies. In FIG. 9, the offense runs a “Buck 232 &” with a counterrun play to the back side, away from the direction of the Buck Shift. Bypausing after the Buck Shift and letting the defense adjust to whatappears to be a likely run right (because of the transition from thefirst position (132) to the second position (134)), the offense setsitself up for a misdirection play back away from the Buck Shift.Likewise, as shown in FIG. 10, a Buck Shift from a first position (136)to the right to a second position (138) apparently sets up a strong-siderun, but actually misdirects the defense to be vulnerable to a bootlegpass to the weak side.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a Guard Over, Tackle-opposite, uncover-Yscheme, which may be referred to as Camo Buck Right and Camo Buck Left.The Tackle lines up away from the Y's “left” or “right” call. During theBuck Shift from a first position (140 or 144) to a second position (142or 146), the H not only slides over but backs off the LOS as well. Thisexposes the Y as the end man on the LOS, so Y becomes eligible. (Thetriangle in these figures depicts the end man on the LOS before andafter the Buck Shift.) Now the offense in this embodiment haseffectively shifted to a trips formation (that is, with three eligiblereceives on the same side of the field) and snapped the ball in 2.5seconds. When executed in tempo, the defense will likely not recognizethe Y as eligible.

FIG. 13, in a formation which may be referred to as Camo Buck Reveal,illustrates a lineup as an unbalanced right in a “Camo Right Buck 112,Reveal, &” call. The offense will shift away from a first position (148)to a second position (150) and have the H come off the LOS as in theprevious Camo scheme, thus revealing the Y as eligible. Because we arein “&” and let the defense adjust to the Buck Shift, running the playaction back away from the Buck Shift provides a misdirection and exposesan eligible receiver in Y who is likely to be unaccounted for by thedefense. See the NFL/NCAA Rules regarding Eligible Receivers in thefollowing passage:

Section 5 Position of Players at the Snap

Article 1: Offensive Team. The offensive team must be in compliance withthe following at the snap:(a) It must have seven or more players on its line (3-19-1); and(b) Eligible receivers must be on both ends of the line, and all of theplayers on the line between them must be ineligible receivers.(c) No player may be out of bounds

Eligible Receivers Article 5 Eligible Receivers.

The following players are eligible to catch a forward pass that isthrown from behind the line of scrimmage.(a) Defensive players.(b) Offensive players who are on either end of the line, provided theyeither have the numbers of eligible players (1-49 and 80-89) or havelegally reported to play a position on the end of the line. See 5-1-2.(c) Offensive players who are legally at least one yard behind the lineat the snap, provided they either have the numbers of eligible players(1-49 and 80-89) or have legally reported to play a position in thebackfield.(d) All other offensive players after the ball has been touched by anydefensive player or any eligible offensive player.

Ineligible Receivers Article 6 Ineligible Receivers.

All offensive players other than those identified in Article 5 above areineligible to catch a legal or illegal forward pass thrown from behindthe line of scrimmage, including:(a) Players who are not on either end of their line or at least one yardbehind it when the ball is snapped.(b) Offensive players wearing numbers 50-79, unless they have reported achange in their eligibility status to the Referee and have assumed aposition on their line or in their backfield as required by Article 5;(c) Players who fail to notify the Referee of being eligible whenrequired;(d) An eligible receiver who has been out of bounds prior to or during apass, even if he has re-established himself inbounds with both feet orwith any part of his body other than his hands.

FIGS. 14 & 15 illustrate what may be referred to as a “TWO BUCK” rightor left, in which the offensive line will slide two positions with tempofrom a first position (152 or 156) to a second position (154 or 158),then snap. The object here is to get out ahead of the defense where theyjust cannot comprehend stemming two gaps, especially all together. Anystunt, blitz or combination pressure by the defense will be off by twogaps, or they will be forced to check to a base call. As shown in thesefigures, the offense can reset other positions as well in order toconfuse and out-flank the defense before they can adjust effectively.

Just because the offense Buck Shift in one direction does not mean theyhave to stay put. FIG. 16 illustrates a “Left Buck 221 &, Foxtrot 1.”The advantage here comes once a defense thinks they have it figured outand they design a pressure for after the Buck Shift. Then the offense“Foxtrots” back one gap with tempo, then snaps the ball. While somedefenders may stem back from the second position (162) to the firstposition (160), it is unlikely that all of them would adjust, and theyare even less likely to do so while running an effective pressure. TheFoxtrot is likely to manipulate them into playing a conservativedefense.

Next is “Left Buck 221 &, Foxtrot 2,” as illustrated in FIG. 17. Onceagain, the offense pauses after the initial shift, lets the defenseadjust from the first position (164) to the second position (166), doesa “Foxtrot 2” back two gaps with tempo, then snaps the ball. This schemeis much more clearly illustrated when viewed with the Buck Shift-enabledanimation software discussed herein.

In FIG. 18, the offensive line gaps are lettered A, B, C, D. The “BuckShot” call tells the linemen which gap to leave open as they shift. Thelinemen outside of the gap called will stay stationary. The gap exposedcan create several play possibilities depending on what defense ispresented and how the defense adjusts to the partial shift. The gap cancreate a running lane or a passing lane. It can also hide an eligiblereceiver until uncovered after another re-set. This is just another waythat an offense can manipulate a defense to its advantage using the BuckShift method.

FIG. 19 illustrates the Buck Shift when the play called is “UnbalancedMonster Left, Buck Shot D232 &.” As the Buck Shift starts at D gap, itleaves a Y Flex look as shown above.

To explain the working elements a bit more clearly, the call “UnbalancedMonster Left, Buck Shot D232 &” tells the left Y to stay stationary andthe rest of the offensive line—inside of the D gap—to Buck Shift rightone gap from the first position (170) to the second position (172).Because the letter in the play call is before (that is, left) of thenumbers, the Buck Shot gap is on the left side.

Another Buck Shot example is shown in FIG. 20, namely, “UnbalancedMonster Right, Buck Shot 112C, &.” This call tells the right T and Y tostay stationary and the rest of the Offensive Line inside of the C gapto Buck Shift left one gap from the first position (173) to the secondposition (174). Again, because the play call now has the numbers firstand the letter (C) after (on the right of) the numbers, the Buck Shotwill be on the right side.

After the Buck Shift, the D gap widens as the offense lets the defenseadjust (“&”). This gives the runner a wide running lane as the defensesplits to match the split in the offensive line.

Pass Blocking Applications

The discussion to this point has focused primarily on run plays.However, because of the severe run advantages the Buck Shift methodoffers, the play action passing game also becomes incredibly effective.As defenders attack their run responsibilities after a Buck Shift, andthen the Quarterback pulls the ball from the running back and drops backor rolls out for a pass attempt, the defense is put into a divisiveposition.

As illustrated in FIGS. 21 & 22, Buck Out is a method that mightadvantageously be executed to attack the perimeter first, then come backlater with “&” and penetrate the middle. It can be effective againstmultiple fronts. In an even look, the offense just opened a huge gap forboth inside defensive linemen to penetrate after moving from a firstposition (176 or 180) to a second position (178 or 182). In an oddfront, the offense forces the Defensive Tackles to stem out, and even ifthey don't, they are still covered by the Offensive Guards. Afterattacking the edge with tempo, counter play possibilities could be abootleg, dive, inside counter, double screen, draw and read option amongothers that the offense may be comfortable with.

Beyond just using the Buck Shift for play action pass plays, the BuckShift can be called at any time prior to the play or as a pass blockingadjustment for the passing game at the line of scrimmage if theQuarterback recognizes a pressure or blitz. Because of the visual slideappearance, the offensive line can be shifted, in the direction as ablitz pick-up like a pre-snap slide protection.

Strategic Video Animation

Animation programs according to this disclosure illustrate the BuckShift using animation of all or part of the offensive team from any viewthat will occur to those skilled in the art. In some implementations, anoverhead or top perspective view shows the position of the players,while in some embodiments, the animation illustrates the first-personview of an individual offensive player or “follow camera” view showingthe player and a view of the field during one or more Buck Shifts asdescribed herein. Some embodiments allow coaches to show how the play isthen executed after the snap as well. In some embodiments, lifelikecharacters are animated to perform the indicated movements, while inothers, avatars (such as symbols, partial photographs, letters, numbers,shapes, and the like) perform the movements. In some embodiments, thesemovements are simply animated as movements, while in others, linesand/or other annotations show players' paths of movement. Programminginstructions that implement these animations and/or illustrations arestored in a memory in communication with a processor, then executed bythe processor to display the animation.

In various implementations, this unique strategic video animation toolwill be used by players and coaches at all levels of the game fromjunior high to high school, to college and professional leagues, inorder to reveal these new pre-snap schemes and broaden their teams'strategic advantage. In others, this video animation tool assists theautomatic or manual review of live or captured video, tagging,instruction, correction, strategic development, tactical brainstorming,and other processes that will occur to those skilled in the art.

Statistics and Tendencies

In most conferences, it is mandatory for teams to trade game film inadvance of a contest. This gives each coaching staff a chance to preparefor the tendencies of the other team. In some implementations of thepresent system, statistics are generated to correlate execution of aBuck Shift (or one or more types or specific variations thereof) withparticular segments of video and/or one or more particular gamecontexts. In various embodiments, these contexts will include the periodof play, down, yards to go, time remaining in the period, fieldposition, and/or other variables—and/or ranges thereof—as will occur tothose skilled in the art. In some embodiments, a database storesinformation about these correlations and/or specific instances ofshifts, plays, and their contexts, then enables fixed or flexibleanalysis of that data (and/or those data points) to yield probabilisticinformation characterizing occurrence (or nonoccurrence) of Buck Shifts,plays run after particular Buck Shifts (or types thereof), defensiveresponses to Buck Shifts, play sequences including Buck Shifts, andother tendencies, analytics, metrics, and recommendations derived fromthe data as will occur to those skilled in the art in view of thisdisclosure. Programming instructions that implement this capture and/oranalysis of data are stored in a memory in communication with aprocessor, then executed by the processor.

By implementing variations of the Buck Shift method, the offensecompounds the possible scenarios for each play by thousands of differentmovements. Multiply that by the hundreds of situational possibilitiesand the dozens of formational possibilities, and the offense has watereddown the tendency possibilities of its opponent by at least hundreds ofthousands of different possibilities (or more) just by introducing theBuck Shift method.

Gaming Applications

Video football gaming has evolved into a realistic experience. Theplayers look real; the sounds seem real. Even the offensive anddefensive play choices are just like real-life play charts withup-to-date terminology. Some implementations of the present disclosurewill comprise football video games, such as the famous “MADDEN NFL” and“NCAA Football” series by EA Sports, wherein the Buck Shift methods andmovements disclosed herein and/or variations as will occur to thoseskilled in the art are integrated into the play selection process andselected by real or AI players, then executed in the game, such as byway of on-screen animation or display of results of that selection. Insome of these embodiments, behavior of specific AI participants (at thecoach, team, line, and/or individual player level) takes into accountconfusion, hesitation, and/or uncertainty resulting from Buck Shiftsduring the current and/or previous plays. Programming instructions thatimplement these games are stored in a memory in communication with aprocessor, then executed by the processor.

All publications, prior applications, and other documents cited hereinare hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each hadbeen individually incorporated by reference and fully set forth. Whilethe invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly certain preferred embodiments have been shown and described andthat all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of theinvention are desired to be protected.

What is claimed is:
 1. A training system for American footballcomprising a training device, wherein the training device is adapted to:(a) display a set of symbols at a first position, each symbol of the setof symbols corresponding to an offensive player, wherein a first playerassociated with a first symbol in the set of symbols is aligned with aball at a snap position; and (b) display the set of symbols at a secondposition, wherein the second position has a subset of the set of symbolsshifted relative to the first position, wherein the subset of the set ofsymbols corresponds to at least two members of an offensive line, andwherein a second player associated with a second symbol in the set ofsymbols is aligned with the ball, the second player being one of theoffensive players other than the first player.
 2. The training system ofclaim 1, wherein the training device is further adapted to: (c) providean indication that, after a pause of at least one second, the ball is tobe snapped.
 3. The training system of claim 1, wherein the trainingdevice is further adapted to: (c) after displaying the set of symbols atthe second position, display the set of symbols at a third position,wherein the third position has a second subset of the set of symbolsshifted relative to the second position, wherein the second subset ofthe set of symbols corresponds to at least two members of the offensiveline, and wherein a third player associated with a third symbol in theset of symbols is aligned with the ball, the third player being one ofthe offensive players other than the second player.
 4. The trainingsystem of claim 3, wherein the training device is further adapted to,before step (c): (b1) display a set of defensive symbols at a firstdefensive position, each symbol of the set of defensive symbolscorresponding to a defensive player; and (b2) display the set ofdefensive symbols at a second defensive position.
 5. The training systemof claim 1, wherein the training device comprises a computing device,and wherein the computing device is operable to display a simulatedtraining environment.
 6. The training system of claim 1, wherein thefirst player is a guard, and the second player is a center.
 7. Thetraining system of claim 1, wherein the first player is a center, andthe second player is a guard.
 8. An American football training methodcomprising the steps: (a) displaying a first position for a set ofplayers and a ball at a snap position, wherein the first position has afirst player from the set of players aligned with the ball; and (b)displaying a second position for the set of players, wherein the secondposition has at least a first subset of players moved from the firstposition, the first subset of players corresponds to at least twomembers of an offensive line, and the second position has a secondplayer aligned with the ball, the second player being one of theoffensive players other than the first player.
 9. The method of claim 8,further comprising the step: (c) displaying a third position for the setof players, wherein the third position has at least a second subset ofplayers moved from the second position, the second subset of playerscorresponds to at least two members of the offensive line, and the thirdposition has a third player aligned with the ball, the third playerbeing one of the offensive players other than the second player.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising the steps of, before displayingthe third position for the set of players: (c) displaying a set ofdefensive symbols at a first defensive position, each symbol of the setof defensive symbols corresponding to a defensive player; and (d)displaying the set of defensive symbols at a second defensive position.11. The method of claim 8, wherein displaying the first position and thesecond position is performed by a training device comprising a computingdevice, wherein the computing device is operable to display a simulatedtraining environment.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the firstplayer is a guard, and the second player is a center.
 13. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the first player is a center, and the second player isa guard.
 14. A method of playing American football with a ball,comprising the steps of: (a) positioning an offensive line in a firstlegal configuration relative to the ball prior to a snap, wherein theoffensive line comprises a plurality of players that includes a firstplayer and a second player, and wherein the first legal configurationhas the first player aligned with the ball; (b) shifting at least aportion of the offensive line to a second legal configuration relativeto the ball, wherein the second legal configuration has the secondplayer aligned with the ball; and (c) snapping the ball.
 15. The methodof playing American football of claim 14, wherein the plurality ofplayers further comprises a third player, the method further comprising:(b′) after the shifting step, shifting at least a portion of theoffensive line to third legal configuration relative to the ball,wherein the third legal configuration has the third player aligned withthe ball.
 16. The method of playing American football of claim 15,wherein the third legal configuration has the first player aligned withthe ball.
 17. The method of playing American football of claim 14,wherein the shift is performed by a proper subset of the set of playersin the offensive line.